Gwent

Gwent has been preserved during the 1996 administrative changes as an historic county for certain ceremonial purposes. for administrative purposes it was suceedeed by various administrative districts  Blaenau Gwent, Islwyn, Monmouth, Newport and Torfaen. For further details of the county's administrative structure see http://www.walesdirectory.co.uk/counties.htm

North of the industrial valleys the Brecon Beacons National Park is edged by the Black Mountains, whose high peaks descend and soften into gentler contours around the beautiful Wye Valley. Part of Gwent's glory, the mist-laden Wye meanders its river course, often forming the frontier with England as it slowly threads its way through overhanging wooded banks that bow and caress the languid currents. To the west of the Wye quiet countryside stretches through most of the mid-county. Nature's restful landscape, however, has oft been disturbed by man's turbulent history. The ancient Welsh Kingdom of Gwent was galvanised by King Caractacus to fiercely resist Roman occupation - the Celtic Silurus tribe shed much Latin blood over the fields of Gwent. A later wave of invaders, the Normans, had to construct a series of strong fortresses to maintain control over newly acquired territory.

This is border country, and the remains of once great castles are also a tribute to Llewellan the Great's stern resistance to English overlordship. On a more harmonious note, Gwent's pastoral landscape lent itself perfectly to the establishment of monastic settlements that embodied the solitude sought by Augustinian and Cistercian orders.